The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-11
DemagOgic Effort to Recede from the Po-
sition Attained by the Consplrators.
Lively Debate in the House on the Jewett
Resolutions--Three Contests Referred to
the Committee on Elections.
LIEUTENANT-GOVER ROBERTSON.
Incidents of the Canvass of Returns by Sen
ators and Representatives

about in available positions to give what infu- |
ence belonged to their presence. While the in |
terest was keen, it wanted that feversh charac |
ter that was observable Thursday and Friday |
last. Except the Republicans. who knew that |
the vote would be counted and Colonel Robert |
son declared Lieutenant governor, one seemed |
to be possessed of any prophecy to probable
occurrences TIE Democrats did not show earn
est sympathy with tine acts of their Senators. or
desire to do more than formallyprotest against
the canvass This party in the House has many
who feel sore at the acts of the Democratic Sen
ators in laying out the plans, giving the orders
7and bringing the Representatives up to party
discipline without the favor of being in the least
consulted as to what should be done Although
Representative Kellison WAS intrusted with the
resolution of protest. he it is understood, as
sumed the duty of presenting it with silent
protest to the act of protesting. Before the
House came to order he was heard to say: 1--WE
have not been notified of the adjournmen of the
Senate, and are supposed to know othing of the
plans purposes Of the members in that
body We not certain of legal
majority, and the Democratic Representatives
will regard the canvass of the returns as an &C
complshed fact just as forcible as if the Demo
cratic Senators had united with us for that pur-
pose, rs the Constitution requires"
Representative Jewett said: 1.-THE canvass is
y mere matter OF form and cannot be invalidated
by any action of the Senate in adiourning. If
there a vacancy, Colonel Robertson is Lieu
tenant governor taking the oath, canvass or
no canvass. We are not bound by the acts of
the Senate
aft hy-t ha Raw II Gapfy
ahe Door keeper stepped to the front of the
Speakers chair and announced the presence of
che Senate At this, Kellison of Marshall
county, eand, called ''Mr. Speaker, ITO which
the presiding officer paid as little attention as if
the cali came from one not member. The Re-
publican Senator'S then came in and took seats
tc the right of the Chair. during which kellison
vainly sought the Speakers attention.
His words fell upon ears closed
to any business, but that of can
wasting the vote for Lieutenant governor I'M
til he nonchalantly turned to the persistent
member. saying, "In moment" Within
minute he announced that the business of the
morning was to canvass the vote, at which Kelli-
son again tried to be heard. ''You are out of
order" replied the Speaker, and at this Worrall.
of Monroe came to the assistance of the mem
Der from Marshall, but both compelled to
take their seats under the emphatic ruling Of
tho Speaker. They took their defeat good
humoredy while Jewett, Of Floyd, and Gordon
of Putnam, oblivious of the record the Senate
majority had made, drew in their lips, stared
angrily at the cause Of their discontinue, and
submitted to the canvass Of the returns, which
the Speaker began with but short preliminar;es,
10 al daJ tba
The reading of the returns consumed half
hour, and at the close while the clerk was max
ing his additions, Representative Jewett ad-
dressed the Speaker, but was told that nothing
would be in order until the canvass was COM
pleted. Patten, of Sullivan, and Gordon, of
Putnam, also made wild efforts at disturbing
the progress of the business, but the Speaker
without ruffiing hair. caused them all to keep
quiet. Following this came the declaration Of the
vote by the Speaker in which it was shown that
Robert S. Robertson had received 232 GIG votes
and John G. Nelson 229. 593, giving the former a
majority Of 1923. The oath of Office was then
administered to Colonel Robertson by Judge
Walker, of the Superior Court Upon this,
continued the Speaker, 81 declare Robert S.
Robertson the Lieutenant-eo governor of the State
Of Indiana, and he will now address you" Not
withstanding their disposition to arraign theil
own party in the Senate for its failure to invite
them into caucuses conferences and consuta
tions, all of this was wormwood to the Demo
cratic members. They were becoming heated
and they only waited for someone to take the
lead in ag, effort to break the joint convention
Representative Gordon thought the opportunity
had come when Lieutenant governor Robertson
brought his splendid physique, calm address ant
gentlemaniy bearing to the front of the desk
Quickly picking up the gavel, which, for thu
time being, had been laid down by Speake
SayFvs. &c gave moderate rap on the blo.k jus
hs Representative Gordon, stepping into H. aisle
from his desk and raising BIS right arm cried
"Mr. Speaker" Lieutenant governor Robertson
unmovsd with not the slightest twitchipg O
facial muscle or any other sign of excitement
looked quietly to the center of the House ant
continued lis rappng, which never went allow
the noise the repeated pounding the ordinar.
beating of O hammer would produce. Repre-
sentative Jewett did not think his colleague from
Putnam equal to the occasion, although
ae managed to get In Il protest.
and stepping into the aisle, with hi
usual good temper overturned by partisan yea
and the crack of the party lash, shouted: Mr.
Speaker, Mr. Speaker, we do rot recognize tn
legality Of This JOINT convention and pointing t
the Republican Senator's when there is n
representation OF the Senate except the flag en-
Of that body. We protest against this usurpatio
bf power, this DISCRIMINATION and overturnin
Of precedent and law" This was the signal 70
bvery Democrat to arise 10 his feet. Applaus
was started whom Colonel Robertson was d.
Shared the Neutrality-suspicious.. 1t came with
ull-sounding burst from galleries and lobby
But when Representative Jewett began his bois
.erous periods there was applause in less degree
modified by the omnous force of Kisses an
.roans His pride smarted under this evidenc
II disaprroval of his threatening method, bu
4 rallied, under counter-applanse. quickly TO
Dwed by hisses and more groans. Represents